Elver fishery shutdown a ‘destruction of hope,’ says Wolastoqey fisheries director – CBC

Apr 18, 2023

Mi’kmaw elder worried about eel population applauds the shutdown

One Wolastoqey man says he spent thousands of dollars on gear to fish for elvers (baby eels) this year and worries he won’t be able to recoup that money after the federal government shut down the elver fishery this past weekend.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) shut down the elver fishery in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on April 15 for 45 days because of conservation and safety concerns, after reports of violence and overfishing by unauthorized harvesters.

This year was Brent Sacobie’s first time trying to cash in on the lucrative industry, with prices reaching $5,000 a kilogram in 2022.

“I have four kids and I have a lot of mouths to feed,” said Sacobie, who is from Bilijk, Kingsclear First Nation, 13 kilometres west of Fredericton.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/first-nations-elver-fishery-shutdown-1.6813328